Hockey For Youth Planned In Hartford

November 21, 1992

The Whalers Alumni Association and the city of Hartford have joined to establish a street hockey program for the city's youth and to build a hockey center at Colt Park.

The center, scheduled to be operational in the spring of 1993, will be named the Hartford Whalers Alumni-City of Hartford Hockey Center. The center will use the surface from the old skating rink at Colt Park.

The program, for youngsters ages 5 to 18, is designed to be free of charge, according to Bobby Crawford, Whalers Alumni Association president. It hopes to attract 1,000-1,500 children, he said. There might be a charge for non-Hartford youths.

Estimates to build the center, Crawford said, will range from $200,000 to $500,000. The money will be raised by the Whalers alumni, through the selling of sponsorships and program advertising. Sponsorships will range from $25 for an associate membership to $100, $200 and $500 for program ads.

Hartford Parks and Recreation Department will oversee the program, insure it and maintain the center.

"I have been very pleased with the commitment and the support of this project by the City and the Whalers alumni, which will allow all children to complete in a positive drug-free environment," said Harold Abrams, Hartford parks and recreation director. "I'm also excited about the Hartford Police department volunteering their time as instructors and coaches."

There will be a children's clinic today and next Saturday at Colt Park from 9 a.m. to noon